In addition, through observing wild life and
participating in fun farm "chores" like milking goats,
observing egg collection, gardening, and
helping to feed the chickens, ducks, pony, and
pigs children learn about and take joy in our natural world.

Story time and hands-on craft and science projects develop creativity, self-confidence, social skills, and a deepening knowledge of science and nature.

A cozy home environment and nurturing staff completes a magical childhood wonderland that children
and parents love. Grades
Kindergarten through 3rd grade.
Children must be at least 5 years old to
participate. Our programs include:

During ourSummer Farm Campsessions
we plan special projects each day
such as baking our own muffins,
learning to tie-dye, or creating a
personal fairy garden to take home.
Each week features a new theme, such
as Medieval Make Believe, Dinosaur
Daze, or Ocean Week.
Each of these exciting theme units
incluces arts & crafts, hands on
science and/or engineering, theme
related stories and games, and
snacks and cooking projects. Learn
more about
Farm Camp

Little Garden Patch is pleased to
offer our program to home schooling
families as well. On Fridays
from 12:30-3:00 home school children aged
5-8 may join us for hands-on fun and
learning, including our popular
snack/story time experience.

Learn More...

We are more than a
licensed care facility, we are a second home and a
place where your child can experience the natural world right in our
backyard. Read more about what makes Little Garden
Patch so different from other programs. ReadAbout Us

Meet Lilly, one of our pot bellied pigs! She just LOVES to get belly rubs!

Local mom Linnaea Avenell and her family recently made a move that affects not only her own family’s connection with the land but also extends that connection to local children.
“For many years my husband and I have been very much committed to the idea that connecting kids with nature would help them become more caring stewards of our Earth and of the other creatures that share it,” Linnaea explains.

“Our most recent project in this vein is transforming our home/property here in Soquel into ‘Little Garden Patch Farm.’ Our goal has been to provide a space where children who might otherwise be stuck indoors all afternoon can enjoy child-led time playing outdoors the way so many kids no longer do.”
Rather than sell the property in Soquel where she grew up and where her children and their friends got to roam, Linnaea’s family decided to move in and make it their business. Little Garden Patch Farm now welcomes children five and up for gardening and nature time.

“I love watching a child arrive here after school—tired, batteries running on empty—get thoroughly recharged from running about outside playing games of make believe, playing ‘farm’ with the toys in the sensory tables, shucking corn husks from the garden to feed the goats, laughing at the chickens, exuberantly chasing a ball, and giggling along at story time,” Linnaea says. “It makes all the farm chores and maintenance I do around here feel totally worthwhile!”